Singapore achieves 5.3% reduction in emissions between 2020 and 2022

The government attributed the decrease to the decommissioning of the Tuas Incineration Plant.

In 2022, the public sector emitted 3.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, translating to a 5.3% drop from emissions in 2020.

According to the GreenGov.SG report published by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), the decrease in carbon emission was mainly due to the decommissioning of the Tuas Incineration Plant in early 2022.

“The reduction in Scope 1 emissions from this facility outweighed the increase in electricity use and the associated Scope 2 emissions across the public sector due to the post-COVID-19 re-opening of the economy,” the MSE said.

Whilst MSE expects public sector emissions to rise and peak in 2025 due to the completion of more public infrastructure projects, the agency believes that once more emissions reduction strategies are implemented, Singapore can still trend towards net zero emissions by 2045.

Meanwhile, the report also detailed initiatives to reduce the public sector’s emissions.

To reduce energy use, the report suggested that the public sector focus on energy-efficient infrastructure and deploying alternative low-carbon energy sources.

By 2030, the government aims to install at least 1.5 GWp of solar energy to support the national strategy to deploy at least 2 GWp of solar energy in the same year.

The report also recognised that residual emissions from essential public services, such as waste incineration and used water treatment, cannot be avoided immediately.

“To address these residual emissions, the public sector is exploring innovative solutions such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technology,” the MSE stated.